Hawaii

iStock International

Few places satisfy the urge for a carefree tropical vacation like the islands of Hawaii. Indeed, the 50th state’s stunning beauty is no secret – nowhere else in the United States boasts the combination of white-sand beaches, lush green landscapes, pounding surf, and rich culture of these far-flung Pacific islands. But what’s less well known, especially for first-time visitors, is that there’s a lot more to the state than Oahu’s Waikiki Beach. In fact, of the eight major islands in Hawaii, six (Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Lanai, Oahu, Molokai) are primed for tourists, each with different reasons to visit, from ecotourism and active volcanoes to beaches and nightlife.